Chapter 207
by Need_More_SleepChapter 207: Missed Call
“Ding-ding-ding-ding~ Look what I got—a hamburger! Didn’t you always want to eat this before?”
It was still warm. Gloria had dashed out to buy it in a flash.
Mi Xiaoliu shrank back into the corner again. “I’m sorry.”
She didn’t know what she’d done wrong, but she apologized first.
Gloria would put mustard in the hamburger and force her to eat it.
“I really didn’t mean to treat you like that. Don’t be so scared of me, okay? Just let me see your real self.” Gloria floundered, heartbroken, as she reached for Mi Xiaoliu’s hand.
“It’s my fault, little sister. Come here, let me hug you.”
The moment her hand touched Mi Xiaoliu, the girl began to tremble.
Gloria immediately let go.
Every time Mi Xiaoliu was frightened, it felt like a knife twisting in Gloria’s heart.
She was beginning to realize that she didn’t need to do anything to make her little sister happy—just leaving her alone would make her happy.
This was her little sister. How could she have treated her like that before…
I really deserve to die.
How had things come to this?
If only she hadn’t responded to the Red Prince’s greeting back then, if only she hadn’t brought him home and given him water, if only she had been the one to fall instead, if only she had treated Mi Xiaoliu better from the start…
Even now, her mind was still in a daze. She couldn’t make sense of why Mi Xiaoliu was Misha, why she dressed as a boy, or why she didn’t recognize her own sister—the one who loved her most.
Just the day before stealing the hand bone, she had been planning her next prank to torment the little brat.
The contrast was too much. She couldn’t take it.
Back then, Misha had smiled sweetly and said she loved her sister the most.
Damn it, this hurts so much. I want to drown my sorrows in alcohol. I want to cry.
Holding the unopened hamburger, Gloria quietly went downstairs.
For once, her demeanor was uncharacteristically gentle.
“What’s wrong?” Raven, who was sitting on the sofa reviewing legal documents, noticed her expression.
As an elder, she felt she ought to show some concern for the younger generation when they were distressed.
“I found my little sister, the one I thought was dead. But she doesn’t recognize me anymore.” Gloria was on the verge of tears.
But she also knew she had brought this on herself.
This was a rare moment of vulnerability for her—usually, she wouldn’t even talk to her mother when she tried to console her, and that old man was hopeless at conversation.
Raven frowned.
Her mind, long steeped in soap opera logic, began working.
Now that I think about it, the Lasvedo family did have a second child. But when they held the full-month celebration, I was about to give birth to Toby, so I didn’t go.
Gloria and Mi Xiaoliu do look alike…
Hmm, it seems Mi Xiaoliu’s family situation is even more complicated than I imagined.
For some reason, she felt a little excited.
Raven adjusted her posture and slipped into therapist mode. “What was your first reaction when you saw her?”
Gloria fell into thought.
The earliest memory she could dredge up was of the Black-Clothed One stealing the painting and being chased by the police.
And her reaction at the time.
“The golden dragon devours my enemies!”
————————
That day, Heli seemed busy with something. As usual, she left after saying she was going out and told Mi Xiaoliu to focus on her homework. But even by nightfall, she still hadn’t returned.
“Ha ha ha (Emotionless tone).” Mi Xiaoliu glanced down at the script in her hands. “Foolish commoners, how dare you challenge Queen Xiaoliu? Kneel at once!”
Commoners and challenge—two new words learned.
Happy.
“Damn you, Queen Xiaoliu! I can’t believe I lost to you!”
The mix of frustration and humiliation on Yiwen’s face could put ninety percent of celebrities to shame.
“A bet’s a bet. Here you go!”
Soft, warm, and squishy against her face.
Tiny, as if they had never walked a step in their life, without a single callus to be found—their shape was practically perfect. As Yiwen breathed, her toes curled slightly from the ticklish sensation against Mi Xiaoliu’s face.
Thank you, Auntie Heli, for not being home tonight.
Yiwen still held quite a grudge against Heli. Last night, she’d dreamed of a giant beaver in a white lab coat lurking under Mi Xiaoliu’s blankets, staring coldly at her with beady little eyes.
I flew over twenty kilometers last night to bring your daughter home, and you still had to haunt my dreams? How ungrateful.
For now, though, Yiwen didn’t dare go too far. At most, she could only indulge in some foot-sucking, cuddle-sleeping, and the occasional chest measurement.
After such a long day of classes, she needed to recharge her spirit by absorbing plenty of Mi Xiaoliu energy.
Mi Xiaoliu only had one pillow, so when the two shared it, they ended up face-to-face, close enough to feel each other’s breath. Even in summer, she’d still snuggle into Yiwen’s arms like a little bird.
So adorable. I just want to gobble her up.
Sleeping with Mi Xiaoliu came with risks beyond just a numb arm. For instance, Yiwen had to wake up extra early to sneak back to her own room, or there was the chance Heli might come by for a bed check.
Unfortunately, tonight did involve a bed check—just not by Heli.
A faint glow, abrupt but not bright enough to startle anyone awake.
Gloria, having transformed into light, phased straight through the window and into the room. The sight of the two cuddled together sent her blood boiling—especially when she noticed Mi Xiaoliu’s head resting on Yiwen’s arm.
Goddammit, this little white-haired brat is even worse than me.
Quietly, Gloria opened the window and treated Yiwen to a swarm of mosquitoes before carefully extracting Mi Xiaoliu from her arms.
So light. So fragile.
After a moment’s thought, she turned back, kicked off her shoes, peeled off the socks she’d worn all day without washing, and tossed them onto Yiwen’s face.
Yiwen’s brows furrowed in her sleep.
Then, moving as gently as possible, Gloria leaped down from the second floor.
Mi Xiaoliu didn’t wake up, completely unaware that the person holding her now was the wrong size. She even snuggled deeper into Gloria’s embrace.
She’s snuggling onto me!
Gloria’s eyes lit up.
Ahem.
A cough from the yard startled her.
She turned to see Okulet standing quietly in the courtyard, holding a plastic bottle with two crickets inside.
“What’s wrong with you? It’s the middle of the night—go to sleep!” Gloria glared at him.
Catching crickets at his age? Men are so childish.
“What are you doing?” Okulet asked.
“Taking my little sister home.”
“A forced melon won’t be sweet.” Okulet reached to the side and caught another cricket.
“Whose side are you on?” Gloria stomped over and left a shoe print on Okulet’s calf.
She didn’t care. She was taking Mi Xiaoliu away.
She knew this would only backfire, but once school started, she probably wouldn’t get another chance to make things right. Then it’d turn into the Rin and Sakura situation… No, I can’t let that happen.
Okulet sighed, released the cricket, and got up to follow.
The Lasvedo residence was no longer livable. Even though many rooms were untouched, the lingering heat from the blue flames was unbearable—not to mention the stream of heat-resistant influencers showing up to livestream and take selfies.
The Lasvedo family had plenty of bodyguards, but thankfully, in a city teeming with influencers, there was never a shortage of luxury mansions for rent.
Once people grew accustomed to extravagance, they could never go back to lesser accommodations.
—
In the Morning.
“Woof!”
Nuomi excitedly pounced onto Mi Xiaoliu, wagging his tail and panting happily.
Mi Xiaoliu sat on the bed, hugging the dog, her feet—still carrying traces of Yiwen’s drool—clamped tightly together. She didn’t dare move.
“Young Miss, breakfast is ready. Madam made it herself.” Shen Qing gave a slight bow.
Mi Xiaoliu remained frozen.
“Leave us for now.” The Chairwoman waved Shen Qing away.
She sat by the bed, gazing at Mi Xiaoliu’s blue eyes—now unobscured by glasses—her heart aching.
Who could have imagined that these beautiful eyes had once been repeatedly gouged out and dissected by researchers worse than animals?
“Sweetheart, Mommy made your favorite egg tarts. Try one?” She held one out.
Mi Xiaoliu hid behind Nuomi. The big dog licked its chops, eyeing the tart eagerly, even though it wasn’t fit for canine consumption.
“Then what would you like to eat? Mommy will get it for you.”
Silence.
“Here comes the wiggly worm~” The Chairwoman tried coaxing her the way she used to with little Misha.
But the girl only shrank further, shielding her face.
This hurts so much.
“Mommy shouldn’t have hit you. Here, hit me back.” She promptly slapped herself twice—loudly.
At the sound, Mi Xiaoliu trembled slightly.
“Don’t be scared, don’t be scared. I’ll go now. Just tell Shen Qing whatever you want to eat.” She hurriedly set the tart down and left.
On her way out, she shot Nuomi a glare.
Why didn’t you say something sooner, you dumb dog?
Maybe Old Okulet should bring her food later. Right now, he’s the only one Misha lets near her.
Outside the door, the Chairwoman didn’t leave immediately. Instead, she leaned against it, listening carefully.
Sure enough, the sound of a phone call soon rang out—undoubtedly to Heli.
But the call didn’t connect.
A second attempt. Still nothing.
No longer eavesdropping, the Chairwoman left in silence.
[Translator’s Note: See the index page for this Novel if you want to see the Amazon Link for the eBooks.]
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